Officers briefly arrested the activist, Amina Tarek, who said she wanted Jordanians "to turn over a new leaf".

Nettle warriors in sting operation

MORE than 2,500 competitors from across Britain and beyond battled through muddy water and 7ft-high nettles yesterday to conquer what is billed as the country's toughest assault course.

The Nettle Warrior event near Wolverhampton attracted entrants from around the world, including a man from Nepal and other contestants from California, Belgium, Germany, and Azerbaijan.

Laurie going to sing the blues

ACTOR Hugh Laurie has signed a deal with Warner Music Entertainment to record an album of New Orleans-inspired blues.

"I am drunk with excitement at this opportunity," the British actor said. "I know the history of actors making music is a chequered one, but I promise no one will get hurt."

Balls in hot water over Black link

Ed Balls's campaign for the UK Labour leadership was dealt a blow last night after it emerged that he had accepted hospitality from the notorious former media tycoon Conrad Black.

The former education secretary, who has criticised Tory opponents for "private jet-setting and helicopter hops", confessed that he had twice flown as a guest in the peer's private jet after both had attended meetings of the shadowy international organisation, the Bilderberg Group.

Al-Qa'ida claims it has killed hostage

Al-Qa'ida's wing in North Africa said it had killed a French hostage it was holding in response to a raid by France and Mauritania against the group, according to a recording aired yesterday by Al Jazeera.

In the recording it was claimed that Michel Germaneau was killed in revenge for the killing of six group members in the raid.